Spiritual Growth – Word for the Soul

How deep are your roots?

December 5, 2025December 3, 2025 Loring Schultz

“The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” Matthew 13:20-21 NLT

Deep strong roots are vital to a tree’s survival in storms with heavy winds. The deep seeded roots prevent the tree from falling over and at the same time are growing stronger by the wind during a storm by pulling and stretching. Throughout the life of a tree, the roots are working its way downward in search of water and nutrients. For a tree to flourish and survive its roots must continue to grow stronger by absorbing what is necessary; fertile soil with the proper nutrients and just enough wind to keep them stretching from the swaying of the tree.

In Jesus’ Parable of the Soils, He gives us four examples of different types of soil the farmer incurs as he is planting seed. Some seed fell by the wayside, or foot paths along the border of a field. Some seed fell on rocky places or shallow soil. Others fell among thorns and still others on fertile soil. The seed represents the Word of God (the gospel) that is planted in the hearts of people. There are many who hear the gospel in various forms. Some take to it enthusiastically as soon as they hear it representing the shallow soil. Then there are those who hear it but do not understand for the seed never penetrated into their hearts, and still others hear the word, but also hear the word of worries of this life and accumulating wealth crowding out the truth of the gospel. Then there are those who truly hear and understand the gospel representing the good soil.

As Christians, we are to live our lives in a manner that will draw individuals to Jesus Christ. We are to take advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel message. Jesus’ Parable of the Soils informs us of the possible reactions of each one who hears the Word. Not all will respond in the same way, and some not at all. We are only called to be faithful in presenting the gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work.

The seed falling on rocky and shallow soil can be taken a step further for Christians who have already accepted the salvation of the Lord. How deep are your roots? Believers today need strong deep roots to carry on God’s plan for them. Just as a tree planted in fertile soil needs water, nutrients, and winds to develop deep roots, Christians need to drink from the well of living water, feast on the nutrients of God’s Word, join in prayer with other believers, and receive with joy the winds of change in their lives which help develop deep roots.

Devotionals

Slip of the tongue

November 26, 2025November 27, 2025 Loring Schultz

Read: James 3:2-12 NLT – Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For – Bible Gateway

“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 NLT

Having a slip of the tongue moment can result in an embarrassing situation. Some things we say in jest don’t come out the way we intended. We may have thought they were clever and humorous, but they were not received in the same manner. It is at this moment that you realize some things are better left unsaid. Then there are other times when we think certain words are needed to get a point across and this also causes hurt feelings. We may think to ourselves, ‘I can’t win,’ but we can if we learn to control our tongues.

James writes, “ For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” (Ja.3:2 nlt) But how can we control our tongues when James writes in a few short verses later, “And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself……..but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.” (Ja.3:6, 8 nlt) The answer is we can’t, at least not on our own.

When James says we would be perfect if we learn to control our tongues he doesn’t mean flawless, but ‘complete’ or ‘mature.’ Being spiritually mature one is then able to control their tongue. Does that mean we will never have a slip of the tongue, well I’m afraid not. But if we follow Peter’s advice to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pt.3:13 esv) we will reduce our ‘slip of the tongue’ moments.

Devotionals

My Source of Strength

August 6, 2025August 5, 2025 Loring Schultz

“What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD.” Psalm 84:5 NLT

Where is your source of strength found? A good friend of mine has been trying to persuade me to go to the gym with him. Working together on various projects on the church property he has taken concern to my shortness of breath lately. My doctor was a little concerned too, so he ordered the proper tests to be completed. Praise the Lord my heart is fine. So, that means I’m out of shape! My friend finally convinced me, and I had my first visit at the gym.

The psalmist wrote, “What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD.” (Ps.84:5 nlt) Is he referring to physical or spiritual strength? I believe the thought is towards spiritual strength for he writes further, “ When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.” (Ps.84:6 nlt) The Lord will take our tears in the struggles and turn them into refreshing spiritual springs. But let us not forget the physical strength He gives us when we need it. “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.” (Is.40:29-31 nlt) Hear is a sense of both spiritual and physical strength.

Every Christian should strive to grow spiritually and increase spiritual strength in the Lord. We do that by reading and meditating on His Word and through prayer. We should also be striving to maintain our physical bodies the Lord has given us. “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1Cor.3:16 nasb) We do that by proper diet and exercise. The Lord will help us to grow in spiritual strength and will give us the strength we need to maintain our physical bodies if we are committed. Where is your source of strength? My source of strength is the Lord both spiritually and especially in the gym.

Devotionals

Water to Quench Your Soul

April 16, 2025April 15, 2025 Loring Schultz

“Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!’ For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 4:37-38 NLT

It is springtime in Pennsylvania, and I once again started my weekly chore of mowing our lawn. I couldn’t help but notice the brown patches still part of our lawn from last year’s drought. In fact, we are not totally out of the woods yet, needing a few more healthy rain events. Water is essential for growth and life itself. The rain we had caused the grass to grow in areas not severely affected by lack of rain last summer. But much more water and sun are needed to bring the entire lawn back to complete health.

Our spiritual lives can become dry as a drought driven patch of grass. Just as water is essential for our very lives, so is the spiritual water Jesus offers us essential for our spiritual lives. We first need it to save our souls from spiritual death to eternal life. As Jesus told the woman at the well, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (Jn.4:14 nlt) Jesus is the spiritual water we need for salvation and eternal life. He offers it to us freely. Jesus is authorized to do so for He paved the way by dying on the cross for our sins recognized this Good Friday and rising from the dead on Easter morning to secure our eternal life.

Spiritual water is also needed for our souls to be refreshed daily by Jesus through prayer and reading His Word. As Christians our eternal home may be secured, but we still need daily spiritual water to help us grow, be fruitful, and not become a dried-up patch of grass. It is easy to develop a thirst for the things of the world, but soon we find out it never satisfies, yet we keep drinking from the fountain without quenching our souls. The Lord Jesus has the water to guarantee our salvation and to quench our thirsty souls. Why not take a drink from Jesus’ fountain today.

Devotionals

Is This a Test?

March 11, 2025March 10, 2025 Loring Schultz

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” Job 23:10 NLT

Have you experienced deep challenges that caused you to ask yourself, is this a test? I’ve had many, mostly in my retail management career. Things begin to go wrong, slowing me down when I’m approaching a deadline. Projects pile up and the pressure is coming from all sides. Can you relate? Then it’s time to ask the question, is this a test? It may not be, but take it from one who knows, most likely it is, and coming from the Father above.

You might ask, does God test us? Indeed, He does. Does God tempt us? Never! But He does put us to the test. Testing from the Lord is a spiritual check-up that is like our yearly physical check-ups, only they are not scheduled in advance, at least to our knowledge. Knowing when our physical check-ups are due, we look at our weight and make sure we are taking all the medications that are prescribed. Following the doctor’s orders is now a priority until the check-up is over.

We cannot cram for a spiritual check-up as we would for our doctor’s visit, or for studying for an exam which tests our knowledge. We need to always be prepared. The Lord will test us when we least expect it to test our faithfulness and obedience to Him. The test will reveal our attitudes in how we respond. Do we have a Christ-like demeanor? Will others be encouraged in how well we handle the challenge? The purpose in testing us is to make us more like Christ and bringing glory to God.

Testing from God is not always pleasant, but it is an important part in our Christian Walk. When we pass the test, we are better for it. The Lord goes before us, leading the way and preparing us for more challenges ahead. As Job says, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (Job 23:10 nlt) We are also guaranteed to come out purified by fire in a crucible as gold. So let the testing begin!

Devotionals

Preventing Falls

August 8, 2024August 7, 2024 Loring Schultz

“You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.” Psalm 18:36 NLT

As the human body ages, it can become difficult to get around. Not everyone experiences this at the same rate, but eventually most aging individuals will need to take measures to prevent them from falling. Seniors have several sources to aid them in preventing falls from their health organizations, family physicians, and government regulations. Getting a little older I find myself paying closer attention to these precautions than I did even a few years ago. I am beginning to find out things happen fast and unexpectedly.

Aging spiritually does not prevent one from a spiritual failure or fall. Whatever your age, young, old or in-between despite how many years you have been a Christian does not guarantee you will not slip and fall. In fact, when we think we have it altogether is when we lose our footing causing us to slip. And if we are unable to catch ourselves, we fall whatever our age.

Our Lord God is not going to sit back and not provide any preventive measures for us. David wrote that the Lord ‘made a wide path for (his) feet to keep them from slipping’ from the attacks and battles he faced from his enemies including King Saul. Christians are under constant attack by the deception of the evil one creating circumstances enticing us to follow his lead causing us to slip and fall. But the Lord has made a wide path for every Christian to walk through in our spiritual journey.

When we follow Him through daily prayer and reading His Word, we will be able to spot the potholes on the road of life designed to make us fall. We will be able to resist Satan’s detour signs of a shortcut or scenic route encouraging us to go another way. Preventing physical falls made be more concerning for older adults, but preventing spiritual falls is a major concern for Christians of all ages. Stay on the wide path.

Read: Psalm 18:30-39 NLT – God’s way is perfect. All the – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

A Breath of Fresh Air

June 19, 2024June 18, 2024 Loring Schultz

“For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4 NLT

The northeastern section of the United States is about to get its first official heatwave of the summer season. People who are unprepared will flock to the nearest stores rounding up the last air conditioners and fans left on the shelves. Many will convene to cooler, well-ventilated spaces to find relief from warm stale dwelling spaces. A breath of fresh air will be needed during the days of the above average temperatures.

Humans are not the only ones to seek a breath of fresh air in hot temperatures. Honeybees also have a way of creating a well-ventilated environment by God’s design. Worker bees as they are known circle around the hive and fan their wings creating air flow throughout the hive drawing out the hot stale air and drawing in fresh air from the outside. The fanning also helps evaporate the moisture on the nectar reducing the water content to create honey. The hot stale environment must be replaced with a fresh environment to produce the sweetness of honey.

People not only need relief from a hot and muggy environment on the outside, but on the inside as well. We may find comfort in retreating from a warm stale environment to cool refreshing quarters, but inwardly, in our souls, we are still living in an unventilated stagnant environment. Even Christians can become stale due to unventilated areas in our lives. There needs to be a constant a constant fanning of daily Bible reading, praying, and obeying God in order keep our spiritual life well-ventilated. The old stagnant smelly air must not be allowed to be sealed up in our souls. Open the window, turn on the fan, and let in a breath of fresh air producing the fragrance of sweet honey in our souls.

Devotionals

Food for the Journey

April 18, 2024April 17, 2024 Loring Schultz

“……I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” Matthew 15:32b NLT

I am sure we have all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey.’ Indeed, it is. Curiously though no two people are on the exact same path in life. There may be similarities, but just as everyone is unique in their own way, their journey in life follows the course planned out for them. And for the Christian, the Lord had your life journey drawn up before you were even a thought in your parents’ mind. “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Ps.139:16 nlt)

Throughout our journey in life, we need subsistence to sustain us. We need a daily intake of food to nourish us to survive our physical life, and we need a daily intake of spiritual food to survive in our spiritual life. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He had two occasions where He provided food for thousands of people as they were coming to Him for healing and to hear His teaching. Jesus had compassion for the people giving them both physical and spiritual food. He did not want to send the crowds away hungry for they might faint along the way.

Our Lord Jesus has the same compassion for us in our spiritual walk with Him. He does not want us to faint along the way in our life journey. He provides us with food to sustain our spiritual growth through His Word. As we have our quite time with Him, through our devotions, prayer, and Bible reading we can rest assured that we will not go away hungry. Make sure you put in the effort to get your daily spiritual nourishment for the journey. Jesus doesn’t want to send you away hungry.

Devotionals

Spiritual Malnutrition

January 27, 2024January 26, 2024 Loring Schultz

“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV

Statistics as recently as 2019 note 8.9% of the world’s population 690 million people are undernourished. The same statistics list 10,000 children dying daily due to poor nutrition. Those statistics are difficult to accept in the modern world we live in, but nevertheless they are pretty accurate. Daily intake of food provides the nourishment we need to survive. The largest percentage of malnutrition in the world comes from underdeveloped Third World countries. Many government programs and humanitarian organizations worldwide are administering aid to these nations but much more needs to be done. Individual Christians and the local church need to step up in assisting with this great of malnutrition.

Just as lack of daily food causes malnutrition and death around the world over a period, lack of daily spiritual food (God’s Word) for the Christian results in spiritual malnutrition. Especially for the new believer it is vital to take in the spiritual milk of the Word. “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” (1 Pt. 2:2 NIV) After spiritual milk of the Word as you grow in Christ it’s then time for solid food. As a newborn grows, they need the nourishment from solid foods for continued growth and survival. Sadly, many Christians stop feeding on the Bible after receiving the initial stages of spiritual milk stopping the growth process and becoming spiritually undernourished. The apostle Paul scolded the people in the church at Corinth for doing just that, “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready.” (1 Cor. 3:2 NLT)

Malnutrition in the world today is tragic and certainly does not need to be the case. Spiritual malnutrition is also avoidable with an estimated 5-7 billion copies of the Bible sold in over 2,000 languages, along with easy access through the internet today and apps on your cell phone. There is plenty of spiritual food available for every Christian. Spiritual growth is vital for every believer in Christ. Growing spiritually in Christ involves a daily diet of God’s Word, prayer, and gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ. Following this three-step approach will keep us from spiritual malnutrition and we will be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.” (Jer. 15:16 NIV)

Read Hebrews 5:11-14, A Call to Spiritual Growth: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205%3A11-14&version=NLT